Ilocos village official, niece hurt in ambush

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – A councilman and his six-year-old niece sustained gunshot wounds in an ambush in Solsona, Ilocos Norte town Wednesday, authorities said.

Reports identified the victims as George Vicente, councilman of the town’s Bagbago village; and his niece Switzel Mae Mila, now both recovering from gunshot wounds in the shoulder and arm, respectively.

Police said Vicente and his niece were on their way home aboard a Mitsubishi van when another vehicle overtook them and the three men on it fired shots.

Five other people aboard Vicente’s van survived the attack unscathed.– Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig